PIRATE Fhmr IN SIGHT, 



167 



Nemms by the splashing sound of their paddles, while 

 their fleet was yet enveloped in darknem 



As the pirate fleet sighted the steamer, they first 

 became aware of the extreme peril of their situation ; and 

 at this moment both Captain Farquhar and the llajali, 

 although eiglit miles apart, heard with equal distinctness 

 the co\uicil summoned by beat of gong ; and then, after the 

 pausCj — rendered more solemn by tlie complete darkness 

 which had come on,— the same yell of defiance reached 

 both divisions. 



A rambling excliange of shots now commenced ; this, 

 accompanied by the discharge of musketry, increased as 

 the opposite parties closed* The pirates wore hemmed 

 in on every side. 



The entrance of the Serebas, by wliich they Jioped to 

 escape, was found to be guarded by the Datu Tumangong 

 and his son Abong Pata, witli a detachment of forty 

 pralius. The pirates now came into immediate contact 

 with the men-of-war boats ; a continued discharge of 

 musketry was kept up, but they were too much panic- 

 strickeo, and bent on escape, to use their arms with any 

 eflcct, and were soon thrown into the greatest confusion. 

 Eighty of their hangkongs were speedily nm on shore, 

 while tlio rest, in detached parties, sought to escape by 

 sea. Seventeen of the larger prahus, avoiding the shoal, 

 attempted to pass the steamer, and were there destroyed, 



A series of encounters followed, extending from the 

 moitth of the Kahika to the further side of the Serebas. 



